Catriona - Ambassador

Hi, my name is Catriona and I'm your new YE Ambassador representing Scotland and the North of England.

I'll tell you a bit about myself.

I've just turned 16 years old and have been going to YE since I was about 9. I have learned lots and met lots of new people along the way. Our group meets every fortnight and we are given a project to work on (sometimes over 2 sessions). My favourites have been wet felt making, crocheted wire jewellery and machine embroidery.

We have links with the wardrobe Department at Scottish Opera and we get to go on annual visits there. I was also lucky enough to do my school work placement there recently which was a fab experience.

I love to create whether it's drawing, stitching or any craft really. I get my inspiration mostly from nature (it's a bit clichéd but it's true) and from places I've been to, especially cities like Venice! I take lots of photos wherever I go. I bought my camera with money I won in a national school art competition and I just love it – I'm saving up for a fish-eye lens for it now. When I went to Germany with the orchestra I took over 400 photos and I was only there for a weekend most of which was spent indoors rehearsing!

My photos are my source material and I also collect 'stuff' I like when I'm out and about. I keep everything just in case. Luckily I have a big walk-in cupboard just for my arty crafty stuff. I could never live a minimalist life!

In my spare time I draw, stitch, create and read. I'm trying to find time to make more clothes – I want to make some things to take on holiday this year. I keep an eye on the current fashion as well as what my mum would call 'alternative taste' (I like brothel creepers, pale pink hair, undercuts and tie-dye t-shirts). I love all things vintage and retro and love going to vintage fairs and seeing all the beaded dresses and accessories. I also love Topshop's range of 'Altered Vintage'.

I'm having a belated 16th birthday party in June after the exams are over and it's going to be a vintage Alice in Wonderland tea party in the garden. I can't wait to start making all the props and decorations but I must get the studying done first. After that I'll get on to making some clothes and then I'll start making steampunk characters (I got a book called 'Steampunk Softies' for Christmas and haven't had time to make any yet). It's going to be the best summer..!

You can see more of my favourite pieces in the Members' Gallery. I have added a few notes just to tell you something about each piece.

Carla – Ambassador

Textiles are a way of using my creativity to reinterpret the beautiful things I see in the world around me.

I am passionate about making and creating visual stories of beauty, involving colour, texture and form. Embellishment and embroidery in turn, inspire me to design and practice a range of textile adornment crafts. I love the fact that "textiles" has no limits and I relish working with a concept in mind. A theme that has always crept into my work is 'Aged opulence or Decaying decadence'.

I have a BA (Hons) in Fashion/Textile Design and well-rounded experience in design, post-graduation. In my final year of university I won an award for my use of colour in textiles and travelled the Fashion capitals exhibiting my work and doing commissions. Upon returning home I became a freelance embellishment designer/maker within ladies Fashion and Accessories, at a range of market levels (Couture, High End High Street & Costume Design).

I have been part of the East Surrey Embroiderers' Guild for the last three years and joined the Young Embroiderers as a Group Helper two years ago. I thoroughly enjoy working with the Young Embroiderers and feel that it is of paramount importance to keep the craft growing through the up and coming generations. I am very excited about the future prospects of the Y.E and proud to be part of it. I am on both of the Guild's committees in my region and enjoy being involved with this great variety of ages.

I have recently completed training to become a teacher within Further Education and I am becoming vastly interested in the idea of becoming an art therapy practitioner. I think this is a wonderful way to work creatively to help people.